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Million Dollar Month Challenge to Culminate at Commencement
Student Calling Program Rolls Up Its Sleeves, Announces Sweatshirt GiveawayStudent Calling Program Rolls Up Its Sleeves, Announces Sweatshirt Giveawa
Million Dollar Month Challenge Calls for 4,000 Donors by May 25
The Brown Annual Fund is asking donors to step forward and be counted in the Million Dollar Month participation challenge. The four-week challenge will bring an additional $1 million to the University if 4,000 individuals make Annual Fund gifts between Friday, April 25, and Commencement 2008 (Sunday, May 25). The challenge money will be awarded incrementally throughout the month: with every 1,000 donors that step forward, $250,000 will be earned, up to a total of $1 million.
The Million Dollar Month challenge began when an anonymous reunion alumnus stepped forward to offer $375,000 to be used to encourage broad participation in the Brown Annual Fund. Because of this generous show of support, Brown’s Annual Fund Co-Chairs and the members of the Brown Annual Fund Leadership Council were inspired to rally around this initiative and add to the challenge pool, bringing the total available challenge funds to $1 million.
Brown Annual Fund Co-Chair Joan Wernig Sorensen ’72 P’06 P’06 hopes that the Million Dollar Month will help drive the Annual Fund toward its goals of $35 million from 35,000 individual donors by June 30. “Commencement and Reunion celebrations will be even more momentous this year if we can announce that we’ve earned the challenge in its entirety,” she said.
“Academic life at Brown is enhanced each and every year because of our Annual Fund gifts,” added Brown Annual Fund Co-Chair Ralph F. Rosenberg ’86. “If we come together as a donor community, we will reach our fundraising goals and also make a huge impact on the lives of Brown’s students and faculty.”
To make your gift and be counted toward the Challenge, click here.
Student Calling Program Rolls Up Its Sleeves, Announces Sweatshirt Giveaway
This spring, the Brown Annual Fund is offering you a chance to win a Brown sweatshirt—and all you need to do is pick up the phone. Beginning April 6, the Student Calling Program will give away three free sweatshirts each week until June 30. The unannounced giveaways will occur at various times throughout the twelve-week program. Callers will inform the lucky recipients at the beginning of their phone conversations, and winners do not need to make Annual Fund gifts in order to receive their prizes. The sweatshirt promotion is being held in an effort to boost phone response in the final quarter of the fundraising year.
“The callers really enjoy speaking with our supporters, but this year they have not been able to have as many conversations as they had in the past because fewer people are picking up the phone,” said Stephanie Boyce, the Annual Fund’s call center manager. “So I hope that this will give people one more reason to pick up the phone and speak to our students.”
Student callers are also excited to start giving away Brown sweatshirts. Many say that talking to Brown alumni is their favorite part of working at the Calling Center, and they are looking forward to the chance to have more phone conversations as a result of the contest. “It is great to hear that some of the people we call will be given sweatshirts!” said Steven Bow ’08. “Having the opportunity to speak with alumni is the most fulfilling part of being a student caller—so it is nice to give back to them.” “When an alumnus answers the phone and realizes that we are also calling to keep the spirit of Brown alive by connecting with them and keeping them in touch with Brown, it means a great deal,” added Christina Ducruet ’08.
The student callers raised $500,000 in Annual Fund pledges from 2,700 donors between April 1 and June 30 last year. This year’s goals are to raise $700,000 for the Annual Fund from 6,500 donors between April 1 and June 30.
Brown Annual Fund Gifts Support Need-Blind Financial Aid
When Sofia Bengoa ’08.5 began applying to colleges, the Miami native thought she would be limited to going to a school near her home. “I was a good student and my parents wanted me to have the same opportunities as other good students,” Sofia says. “But because of our financial situation, I had no real intention of leaving my hometown.” Nevertheless, Sofia’s high school gave her financial vouchers that allowed her to apply to Brown University. Sofia’s academic horizons were quickly broadened when she was accepted to Brown and received a generous financial aid package from the University. “On the day that I received my financial aid package, my mother cried,” she remembers. “If it weren't for Brown's need-blind admissions policy, I would not be studying here.”
Offering deserving students of all economic backgrounds the opportunity to attend Brown is a leading priority for the University—a commitment underscored by the fact that nearly half of Brown’s undergraduates receive need-based financial aid. Last year, $13.8 million of the almost $35 million that Brown Annual Fund donors contributed was used for financial aid support that allowed the University to continue admitting the students who are most likely to excel here, regardless of financial need.
In February 2008, financial aid at Brown received a tremendous boost when the Brown Corporation met to lay out a blueprint for Phase II of the Plan for Academic Enrichment. To ensure the Plan’s continued success, Brown will increase its undergraduate financial aid budget by more than 20 percent in 2008-2009, reaching $68.5 million. The following provisions will go into effect in the fall:
- Students from families with incomes of less than $100,000 will no longer have loans as part of their financial aid packages.
- The loan burden will be decreased for families with incomes of $100,000-$150,000.
- Most parents who earn less than $60,000 will not be required to make a financial contribution to their child’s Brown education.
These new policies will apply to current students in the classes of 2009-2011 who receive financial aid as well as next year’s entering class. This extraordinary expansion of financial aid supports the University’s dedication to attracting and retaining the most highly qualified and diverse student body—students who are just as passionate and enthusiastic about learning as Sofia.
Now a Brown senior, Sofia credits her undergraduate career to awakening a love of community health advocacy. She plans to pursue it as a career after graduation. The University’s impact on the Bengoa family has also extended beyond Sofia. “The generosity of donors has not only made it possible for me to attend Brown, it also encouraged my little sister Melissa to apply,” Sofia says. Last fall, Melissa joined her older sister on College Hill, as a member of the Class of 2011. “Financial aid has made it possible for my parents to achieve their dream of providing my sister and me with the chance to pursue a higher education at one of the finest institutions in the country,” she says.
At Brown, Sofia has taken advantage of numerous opportunities to exercise her creative skills both in and out of the classroom. A former competitive dancer, she has been a part of MEZCLA, Brown’s Latino performing arts troupe, and Brown Badmaash, a South Asian dance company. During her first year at the University, she taught dance to children at Providence public housing sites as part of the Community Outreach through the Performing Arts (COPA) program. Last year, she volunteered for a cause that is very near to her heart: teaching English to recent immigrants through the Olneyville ESOL Program. Thinking back to the early days of her college search and the many experiences she has had since, Sofia is certain that she made the right choice in coming to Brown. “Had I stayed at college closer to home, I would not have met so many students from a variety of different backgrounds that have opened my eyes to the world,” she says. “Most importantly, I would have not learned to embrace my culture in the way I have and grown into the confident Latina woman I have become today.”
“Best Class Ever” Kicks Off the “Best Gift Ever” Alumnus Challenges GOLD Classes: Set Participation Records in 2008
The spring semester is well underway at Brown, and while students face the challenges of exams, papers, and presentations, young alumni have been given a challenge of their own. Members of the GOLD classes (graduates of the last decade) have until May 1 to make a Brown Annual Fund gift that will have triple the impact for their alma mater, thanks to the newly-announced Burke GOLD Participation Challenge.
In January, Brown alumnus, parent, and Annual Fund Leadership Council member James J. Burke, Jr. ’73 P’05 P’06 P’10 committed $500,000 in challenge money in the hopes of increasing Annual Fund participation among Brown’s newest graduates (members of the Classes of 1998-2007) and setting the stage for their continued annual giving. Under the terms of the challenge, a 2:1 match will be provided for gifts of any size through May 1 or until the funds have been exhausted, whichever comes first.
“It is my hope that this challenge will help young alumni see the importance of giving to Brown’s Annual Fund and the impact they can have on the University’s success,” says Jim. “By continuing the tradition of GOLD challenges, I’m encouraging these recent graduates to continue their support. I’d like to see the GOLD classes achieve new participation records this year.”
The number of young alumni donors to the Brown Annual Fund has increased 85% since 2001-2002, thanks in large part to annual challenges that continue to raise the bar for GOLD participation.
To make your gift before 11:59 EST on May 1 and be counted toward the Challenge, click here.
“Best Class Ever” Kicks Off the “Best Gift Ever”
Over 400 seniors gathered on Friday, November 9, to kick off the 2008 Senior Gift Campaign. After posing for the traditional class photo on the steps of Faunce House, class members made their way to Sayles Hall, where Co-Chairs Gordy Pels ’08 and Brittany Locke ’08 welcomed them. Pels ’08 opened by saying “although we are not graduating for another six months, it is not too early to start celebrating!” The Kick-Off event was the perfect way to begin.
Michael Goldberger, Director of Brown Athletics, repeated history by addressing the class as he did at the opening Convocation three years earlier when he served as Brown’s Director of Admissions. Members of the class were happy to revisit this key moment that began their time at Brown. Goldberger told the class that they continue to be the “Best Class Ever,” and he encouraged them to leave Brown with this reputation intact by participating in the Senior Class Gift Campaign. Both Goldberger and Locke ’08 reminded the Class of 2008 of how special the Brown undergraduate experience is and urged seniors to give so that other students can have the same experience. “Believe it or not, our tuition would actually be much higher were it not for alumni giving,” Locke’08 explained,” and some of your friends here today may not even have been able to come to Brown without the financial aid funded by alumni contributions.”
The Class’ goal is 70% participation, which would break the record of 68% held by the Class of 2005. The Senior Gift Campaign ends June 30, 2008, but the committee is pushing to reach the participation goal by Commencement.
2006-2007 Brown Annual Fund Raises $34.6 Million From 34,316 Donors
The Brown Annual Fund marked a year of historic firsts in 2006-2007, thanks to the generosity of alumni, parents and grandparents, students, faculty and staff, and friends. A record 34,316 donors (a 6-percent increase over 2005-2006) contributed $34,625,529, exceeding the $31.5 million goal and surpassing the previous year’s total by $3.9 million.
These outstanding results were made possible by three challenge gifts that galvanized the entire donor community. The Brown Corporation’s $1.5 million “Rally for the Record” challenge, the $1 million Chancellor’s Leadership Challenge, and the $500,000 GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) Participation Challenge offered a combined $3 million to help the Annual Fund reach incredible new heights. These challenges were successful in bolstering strong donor support at every level.
The Parents Annual Fund continued to be the leader in the Ivy League in 2006-2007, raising $4.8 million (a 15-percent increase over the previous year) from 7,247 donors (an 18-percent increase). These parents of students and alumni did not themselves attend Brown, but their incredible generosity each year demonstrates that they hold the University every bit as close to their hearts.
The GOLD classes (1997-2006), which represent more than one-fifth of the University’s total alumni, came forward in greater number than ever before. Young alumni increased their giving to the Annual Fund by an amazing 31%, and met the GOLD Participation Challenge in its entirety by May 1—two months before the end of the fundraising year.
Reunion alumni typically contribute one-third of the Annual Fund dollars given each year. The Classes of the 2’s and 7’s proved no exception, as they collectively donated $10.3 million, a double-digit increase over the numbers posted by the 1’s and 6’s. Seven classes set new Brown Annual Fund giving records, and one class – 1982 – became Brown’s first class to cross the $3 million mark, raising an extraordinary $3.3 million for the Annual Fund.
Graduate alumni set two new giving records during the 2006-2007 fundraising year. The number of graduate alumni donors increased by 5% (more than 2,300 individuals). Collectively, these masters and doctoral alumni contributed $523,746 to the Annual Fund: 9% more than the previous year.
The ranks of The 1764 Society, now in its third year, grew by an incredible 18%. This recognition society honors those donors who loyally support the Annual Fund for 5 or more consecutive fiscal years. Its continued growth is driving increases in participation across the Brown Annual Fund.
These results are a fitting testament to our community’s belief in Brown and its future. The University is made stronger each year by our continued support. In 2007-2008, the Brown Annual Fund’s goals are to raise $35 million from 35,000 donors.
A Warm Welcome to New Brown Annual Fund Co-Chairs
The Brown Annual Fund kicked off fiscal year 2007-2008 by welcoming new co-chairs Joan Wernig Sorensen ’72 P’06 ’06 and Ralph Rosenberg ’86. The pair, no strangers to service to their alma mater, bring a variety of experiences in business, fundraising, and higher education to their new roles.
Joan has had an extensive career in nonprofit fundraising, and educational advancement in particular. Most recently, she served as director of development and public relations at Interfaith Health Care Ministries at Rhode Island Hospital. She has also been the director of alumni and parent relations at Moses Brown School, director of alumni relations at Bryant University, and associate director of alumni relations at Brown. Her current service to Brown includes work as a trustee of the University, a Rhode Island area vice chair for the Campaign for Academic Enrichment, and a member of the Brown Annual Fund Leadership Council. In addition, she has served on the Women’s Leadership Council and as co-chair of her class’s Reunion Gift Committee for their 25th, 30th, and 35th reunions. Joan’s commitment to volunteerism has drawn numerous accolades, including the prestigious H. Anthony Ittleson ’60 Award.
Joan’s love of Brown is shared by many of her family members. In addition to her husband, Paul Sorensen ’71 Sc.M.’75 Ph.D.’77 P’06’06, and their two children, Alice ’06 and Christian ’06, Joan has three sisters and a brother-in-law who graduated from Brown. “Since I graduated, I have always supported Brown as a volunteer and as a consistent contributor to the Annual Fund,” says Joan. “Ralph and I look forward to taking the Annual Fund to the next level.”
Ralph’s career in finance includes sixteen years with Goldman Sachs, where most recently he was the co-founder and co-head of their Global Special Situations Group. Currently he is the founder and managing partner of R6 Capital Management, an investment firm located in New York. Like Joan, Ralph sits on numerous councils and committees at Brown. He is a member of the Brown Annual Fund Leadership Council and a New York City vice chair for the Campaign for Academic Enrichment, and he has been a very active fundraising volunteer for his class, serving as a Reunion Gift Committee co-chair for their record-breaking 15th and 20th reunions. He is also a new trustee of the Brown Corporation.
Ralph holds an M.B.A. from Stanford and sits on the Stanford Business School Trust. He is also an Honorary Trustee at the Francis W. Parker School. His other philanthropic interests include the New York University Child Study Center, the Whitney Museum of Art, and the Global Fund for Children. “Joan and I are excited to take on the challenge of leading the Annual Fund,” says Ralph. “Everyone in the Brown community has an obligation to help the University maintain its academic leadership. We look forward to being a part of it.”
As Brown welcomes Joan and Ralph to their new roles, we also have to say goodbye and thanks to outgoing Brown Annual Fund Chair Thomas Berry ’69 P’92 ’96. Tom stepped up to the plate as Annual Fund chair in July 2004, succeeding Jerome Vascellaro ’74 P’07. His tenure as chair has been nothing short of historic, as the Annual Fund reached outstanding new heights in just three short years. During fiscal year 2004-2005, 30,230 donors contributed a total of $25 million. The 2006-2007 Annual Fund raised $34.6 million from 34,316 donors, representing an incredible 14% increase in donors and a 38% increase in dollars under Tom’s leadership. “I have been very proud of being the Annual Fund chair these last three years, particularly because of the great support received during my tenure from the administration, faculty, Corporation, alumni, students, parents, and other friends of the Brown community,” says Tom. “My success as chair in reaching new records for the Annual Fund is really their collective success in caring so much and working so hard for Brown.” Tom’s ties to Brown will remain as strong as ever; he will continue his efforts as a founding member of the Brown Annual Fund Leadership Council, a vice chair for Boldly Brown: Campaign for Academic Enrichment, and a current member of the Brown Corporation.
Graduates of the Last Decade Meet the GOLD Challenge
In a stunning show of support for Brown, graduates of the last decade (also known as the University’s GOLD alumni) have earned the $500,000 GOLD Challenge—with more than a month still remaining in Brown’s fiscal year. The challenge was issued less than five months ago by an anonymous parent couple who did not themselves attend Brown. It allowed young alumni and members of this year’s senior class to triple the amount of their gifts to Brown, as contributions made between January 1 and April 30 were matched 2:1. Many recent graduates saw this as a great incentive to step up their usual levels of support and have a greater impact on Brown than ever before.
“The GOLD Challenge was really inspiring, as I was able to multiply what I could normally give to Brown,” says Tilli Dias ’05. “It also made the process of giving more fun—giving three times what I could afford on my own was really exciting!”
In addition to the funds it raised for Brown, the GOLD Challenge stimulated a new level of participation among the University’s most recent graduates. “When the young donor community backs the Annual Fund so enthusiastically, we make a strong statement of what Brown means to us and our belief in where it is headed,” says Tilli.
The GOLD Challenge may be over, but all donors can still help Brown earn the Corporation’s $1.5 million “Rally for the Record” challenge. The challenge will be met when 34,000 individual donors step forward and make gifts at any level to the 2006-2007 Brown Annual Fund. This bold participation goal marks a 5-percent increase over 2005-2006 results – and a new all-time record. As of May 14, the Annual Fund was 81% toward goal with 27,429 donors: nearly nine percent ahead of last year's donor total at the same time.
Class of 1982 Sets New 25th Reunion Record
April 19 was a landmark day for the Class of 1982. History was made, along with a bold declaration of support for the University, when the class surpassed the previous Brown Annual Fund 25th Reunion cash giving record of $2,001,821 set just last year by the Class of 1981. A winning combination of leadership, energy, a sense of community, and a strong dose of competitive juices is propelling the class to its ultimate goal of raising $2.5 million in Annual Fund gifts. The 25th Reunion Gift Committee is comprised of 25 members, including 18 first-time members. The group has benefited greatly from the fresh perspectives and expanded network of Brown alumni and friends that these new committee members bring. The class’ leaders provide more than individual support for their alma mater; they work very successfully as a team. Many have been close friends since their undergraduate days, a cohesion that has produced incredible results for Brown. And, like any team, this group enjoys some good-natured competition with its rivals. Class leaders have monitored the progress of 25th Reunion classes at peer institutions such as Dartmouth: a strategy that kept them on a forward charge to this new high-water mark.
“This is a major milestone year for our class. It is hard to believe that we left College Hill a quarter-century ago!” says 25th Reunion Gift Committee Co-Chair Jed McCarthy '82. “Coming back to campus will be even more special because of our class gift, and there are still a couple of weeks left to accomplish even more. I hope that our contribution to today’s Brown students inspires other Reunion classes to drive toward record-breaking results.”
In early May, 497 members of the Class of 1982 had already made gifts to Brown, and twelve members of the class had stepped forward with six-figure donations in honor of their 25th Reunion. Several other Reunion classes are well on their way to breaking fundraising records. Click herehere to visit the Reunion giving web site to check each class’ progress.
GOLD Participation Challenge: A "Match" Sparking Young Alumni Participation
There is less than a month to go for young alumni to triple the impact of their Brown Annual Fund gifts. April 30 is the deadline to take advantage of a 2:1 match issued by an anonymous parent couple. Since its kickoff in January, the GOLD Participation Challenge has encouraged a new level of participation among members of the Classes of 1997-2006 and this year’s senior class. As of March 31, $249,726 (nearly half of the $500,000 in challenge money) had been earned.
GOLD classes represent more than 22 percent of all Brown alumni. As such, they play a critical role in setting Brown’s alumni participation rate. The Class of 2002 is leading the way with 22% of the class already having donated to the Annual Fund. One in five members of the Class of 2004 have also stepped forward to help earn the challenge.
“As recent graduates, we may not all be able to make large gifts, but if everyone made a gift of any size, it would make a big difference,” says Laura Almeida ’06. “Older alumni are stepping up and leading the way; we must follow their example and make our contributions too!”
GOLD alumni of the college and the graduate school who give to the Annual Fund after April 30 may still qualify for the GOLD Challenge, but at a reduced 1:1 match rate. The challenge will run until June 30 or the funds have been exhausted, whichever comes first. The 2:1 match is available to seniors until Commencement on May 27.
Class of 2007 Aims to Make History With Senior Class Gift
Sayles Hall was the setting when members of the Class of 2007 gathered to kick off their Senior Class Gift on March 7. President Ruth J. Simmons was on hand to talk to this year’s graduating class, which is among the first to benefit directly from the Campaign for Academic Enrichment.
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After gathering for the traditional class photo, the forty members of the Senior Class Gift Committee took to the stage. Co-Chairs Neil Hamel '07 and Jessica Kondrick '07 addressed their classmates and urged them to put the Class of 2007 into the record books by meeting their goal of 70% participation.
Neil and Jessica each shared their own reasons for making their first gifts to Brown. "The past 4 years at Brown have been some of the best years of my life,” explained Neil. “I know that the experiences I’ve had would not have happened without the generosity of Brown Annual Fund donors, and I wanted to step forward and begin giving future students the same opportunities as I've had."
Jessica described the Senior Class Gift as "a unique opportunity to give back to the institution which has given us so much over the past four years.” She continued, “Financial aid afforded me my time here, my first-year seminar was a great experience, and I’ve really enjoyed participating in SPEC (the Special Events Committee) for the past four years. Giving back to the Senior Gift campaign was the least that I could do."
Neil and Jessica then welcomed President Ruth J. Simmons to the stage, honoring her as “the woman who helped make our time at Brown the best that it could be.” After an enthusiastic welcome from the crowd, President Simmons commented that she was impressed with the number of Senior Gift Committee members who lined the back of the stage. “I think this is the largest Senior committee I have ever seen up here,” she remarked. “I am encouraged and happy to see that there are already a good number of you who recognize the importance of the Annual Fund and of starting the tradition of giving back to Brown in the years to come.”
President Simmons then went on to speak about the impact that the Senior Class Gift has on the University. She reminded the class that they have witnessed many changes on College Hill over their four years and have benefited from the generosity of past students, parents, and friends. She encouraged them to step forward to help make the Campaign for Academic Enrichment a success. President Simmons concluded her remarks by making a surprise announcement; she decided to increase her contribution to the Senior Class Gift from the usual “class year” gift (i.e., $2,007) to a breathtaking $20,007! Amid cheers and applause from the audience, she told the Class of 2007 that they now have the opportunity to present the largest Senior Class Gift in Brown’s history and encouraged them to join her in making a meaningful gift.
Just three days after the kick-off event, the Class of 2007 has reached 8% participation and raised more than $3,000. In addition to sending a strong message about how much they have valued their Brown experiences, seniors who make their Brown Annual Fund gifts on or before May 27 will help the University earn $2 million from two challenges: the Brown Corporation’s “Rally for the Record” challenge and the GOLD Participation Challenge.
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